It’s become one of the contentious issues of the day… who gets to use LGBT /gay bars… Hen Parties? Guys looking to hook up with girls? Michael Henry lays it down…
So does he have a point?
This article was first published in August 2017.
G-A-Y owner Jeremy Joseph has opened up his doors to give fans of the popular bar a one minute guided tour around his flagship drinking hole in London’s Soho.
From the outside, it doesn’t look like much has changed, except with the introduction of a hand sanitizer station at the entrance, but as the camera ventures into the bar, COVID secure provisions have clearly been introduced.
Aimed at keeping both staff and customers safe, perspex glass now separates bar staff from drinkers and even more, perspex separates customers from each other in the seating area in their own “social bubbles”.
Only two people from each party will be permitted to go to the bar at anyone time. Their friends will have to wait in the “social bubble” area. Music will also be set at a level where drinkers will not have to raise their voices.
The additions to the bar were met with a variety of reactions, with many praising the actions of G-A-Y, with one commenter adding, “there’s not gonna be loud music and thats the best bit” and another wishing the staff “good luck for the big reopening”.
Other however weren’t pleased with some of the changes, one user wrote, “glad we went a few times before a new era” while anothered wrote, “No thanks I’ll party at home. Less rules. I ain’t getting thrown out for walking the wrong way to the bar. Bar staff can’t hear your drink order normally what chance do they have with a screen in the way”
In a blow to the LGBT+ economy, gay bathhouses and clubs will be unable to open when huge parts of the economy will be allowed to open on the 4th of July.
As the majority of England’s businesses prepare to reopen at the beginning of next month, following months of closure, because of COVID-19 certain sectors, including nightclubs and spas (which includes gay bathhouses) will not be allowed to reopen, the government has confirmed.
It had been hoped that saunas and clubs would be allowed to reopen on the 4th July, however, there are a number of businesses which cannot open until further notice, due to the possibility of infection spread.
The following places will remain closed by law
There are different rules in place for Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, all of which are considered stricter and tighter than England’s lockdown easement.
However in some welcome news, some LGBT+ spaces, including pubs, bars and theatres will be able to open, but only if certain criteria is met.
Pubs and bars will be able to open only if they offer table service or have outside seating spaces. Customers will also have to leave their contact details to help with contract tracing.
We’d love for you to help us grow this historical archive of London’s lost gay scene. If you’ve got photos or memories of any of the venues you’d like to share please use the comment section below and we’ll add them right here.
A small bar on the corner of Old Compton Street right in the centre of Soho. Was renowned for it’s tiny stage area where drag performers would entertain the patrons. It was small and always crowded with regulars who loved this place.
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We’d love for you to help us grow this historical archive of London’s lost gay scene. If you’ve got photos or memories of any of the venues you’d like to share please use the comment section below and we’ll add them right here.
From “JC”
This was the busiest gay bar in ’60s /’70s London.
Open Lunch & Evenings 7 days (old licencing hours).
There you could meet all types incl CD & Trans. It was mostly men but a few lesbians mixed freely.
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CREWS: 1990-1998 St Martins Lane, next to Stringfellows
Crews came about after I was served yet another warm beer at the Brief Encounter and the manager asked me what I would do, lose him his job?
I said “no”, far worse.
From the outside, you could not see the 3000 sq ft inside and the plan was just to be the biggest gay bar in London, not nightclub.
The agents were only interested in it being let as a restaurant until I told them that my cousin was, a renowned architect, and they thought we would spend a fortune on it. However, our plan was to be cheap and cheerful, cruising and carefree so dark blue paint and murals of sailors went up on the walls.
After a hiccup with early management, the bar became the first to introduce straight forward pricing of £2.50 a pint, the reason being that there was no time to give change, such was the demand.
In addition, free nuts and crisps were offered. Two GoGo dancers would give performances on the bar. Crews became the busiest gay bar in London and was responsible for dragging the gay scene from Earls Court to the West End.
The year Crews opened saw the Edge, CXR, Admiral Duncan, G-A-Y Bar and The Village really take off.
Have you got memories of a venue from the past which has now closed? Check out our list of venues at our Lost LGBT Scene Project.
Legends in Brighton has instructed an insolvency firm to help wind down its business, a statement released today has said.
Since the outbreak of coronavirus, thousands of businesses across the UK shuttered indefinitely with many now struggling to stay financially viable with no customers.
The venue, which was a hotel, club, bar and restaurant on the Brighton seafront issued a short statement on its website, stating,
“The company has had to make the difficult decision to close with immediate effect and a licensed firm of Insolvency Practitioners has been instructed to assist in placing the company into Creditors Voluntary Liquidation. Therefore, no further bookings can be made”.
It also suggested that those who had pre-existing bookings should contact their credit card providers to check if they were eligible for a refund.
The UK has been in lockdown since the end of March and the Government ordered that all bars, restaurants and clubs close, except where they could provide takeaway services.
The closure of this legendary venue is yet another blow to the LGBT+ community which has seen the widespread of Pride events planned for this summer cancelled or postponed.
Organisers of Brighton Pride responded to the news of the closure by saying that the venue, had been “sad news… such a big supporter of Pride and community fundraising in our city over the years”
The company “sincerely apologised for the inconvenience” that was caused by its decision to close.
The bar, which started life in Camberwell, London made the announcement that it’s due to close at the end of April.
The statement said, “we’ve held on as long as is humanly possible, but the time has come to move on…”
It added, “The Chateau is an entity without and we will continue to live outside of the basement.
“Thank you to all who have supported us over the last two years, it’s been stunning”.
The bar was planning a raft of events up until the last date in April, however, a further message from the organisers wrote,
“In light of the current situation, we have taken the decision to cancel all events scheduled this week at The Chateau.
“We will keep you posted with our plans going forward. Sending lots of love and strength to all the artists, promoters, djs, freelancers and queers right now and thank you for all your support for the chateau team at this tough time. “
Nottingham‘s only dedicated LGBT+ club has sought to reassure its customers that they doing everything they can to keep customers and staff safe during the Covid-19 outbreak.
The club took to Facebook to say that all their staff were “fully trained on strict hygiene practices” and that there were “constantly checking for updates and further advice from the NHS and government”.
Club bosses also advised, “Antibacterial hand soap remains in our soap dispensers (and we have plenty of it!) so please do use it. You may find our team members wearing latex gloves on shift, so please do not be alarmed if you see us sporting the sexy blue gloves. This is our way of protecting you and us”.
It added, “In line with government guidance, WE REMAIN OPEN and welcome you to join us at Propaganda”.
Meanwhile in London, Jeremy Joseph, the owner of one of the UK’s biggest LGBT+ nightclub brands, G-A-Y blasted the UK’s PM, Boris Johnson, as a c**t amidst the current climate of uncertainty. He also said that the clubs would be closing for the foreseeable future.
Minksy’s showbar in Cardiff is set to close after 25 years after the new owner of the building decided not to renew the lease, according to the bar’s management.
Speaking about the decision to close the doors, the bar’s owners, Owen Sendell and Nathan Barker said,
“It is such a shame that we are having to close our doors at our current premises, we are going to miss providing top quality entertainment to Cardiff and our visitors from further afield”
However, all is not lost as the pair are looking for another venue in Cardiff to continue the legacy, they added,
“We’re currently looking for another venue so that we can continue to provide Cardiff with amazing shows.
“We’re currently looking for another venue so that we can continue to provide Cardiff with amazing shows. Entertainment Manager Gavin Wilson said “We’ve lined up a top evening of entertainment for our big send off.”
The last night Minsky’s will be open to our customers will be Saturday 9th May 2020. We’ll have entertainment from Opal Fruits, Jolene Dover, Dr Bev, and Mary Golds and a whole host of other entertainment starting from 7:30pm.
Tickets are £5 for standing, £10 for silver and £25 for gold. For more information visit www.minskys-showbar.co.uk
Nottingham’s LGBT+ scene is growing and getting better. There are currently five LGBT bars and venues in the city and these are the best – according to your Google reviews.
Newly redecorated the Lord Roberts comes out on top with a rating from Google reviews of 4.3 and we’re not surprised. The bar staff are incredibly friendly and if you go on a Wednesday night you’ll be able to sample the fun and games of a pub quiz and Sticky Fingers.
Rating: 4.3 with 435 reviews
24 Broad Street, Nottingham
Perhaps Nottingham’s newest bar, it receives a great rating of 4.9 but only has 8 reviews, compared to The Lord Roberts’ 435. That said the drinks are cheap and has got its regulars!
It’s right across the road from The Lord Roberts.
Rating: 4.9 from 8 reviews
27 Broad Street, Nottingham
Next on the list is the newly updated New Forresters which receives a 4.1 rating on Google. It’s a friendly, welcoming place with a zero attitude feel amongst staff and clients and the drinks are cheap to boot! Nice.
Rating: 4.1 from 174 reviews
18 St. Ann’s Street, Nottingham
Propaganda comes up as a 3.8 rating on Google Reviews, but it’s a lively LGBT venue open until 5 AM on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. It is Nottingham’s only dedicated gay / LGBT+ club.
Rating: 3.8 from 411 reviews
8-10 Broadway, Nottingham
Not technically a gay bar, but a very gay-friendly vibe. It receives a great 4.3 rating from its punters. Check out the karaoke. Also supports LGBT+ charities during pride season.
Rating: 4.3 from 330 reviews
38 Lower Parliament Street, Nottingham